The Rangers signed Tim Lincecum for bullpen help. The former Cy Young Award winner didn’t throw with a major league team last season, but he could be a reliable relief arm.
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The last time Tim Lincecum threw in the majors, his fastball sat at 88 mph and he posted a 5.48 ERA and a 6.8 K/9 with the 2016 Angels. The 32-year-old righty seemed done. Since then, he has improved, and just last month at a showcase he was “… clocked in between 90-92 mph…”. In most showcases, a pitcher’s velocity should be around 91 mph coming in from the bullpen. Looking back, his fastball averaged 91.4 mph from 2010 to 2012. During those seasons, he posted a 9.4 K/9 and 3.72 ERA. These values are a place to start in creating a projection. Since 2012, the average league ERA increased by 0.35 with the juiced ball. Owners should start Lincecum’s projection at a 4.00 ERA and adjust as more information becomes available.
The Rangers already have some nice bullpen depth, and Lincecum could be a nice multi-inning reliever. He’s not in line for saves right now. Alex Claudio will start the season as the closer with a healthy Keone Kela being the most talented arm. I could see Lincecum staying in a multi-inning role in case the Rangers eventually want to move him to the rotation.
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